BOARD MEETING DATE: October 9, 1998 AGENDA NO. 21
PROPOSAL:
Execute Contract to Cost-Share Update of Website Information on Clean Fuel Station Locations and Provide Related Support Services
SYNOPSIS:
There is a need to provide updated information on the location of clean fuel stations and recharging stations via a highly visible internet website. Bids were obtained from four firms to update and expand on information on the location and operational attributes of refueling and recharging stations for all alternative fuels. Based on bids received, a contract with CALSTART is proposed to provide up to an additional 500 additional website maps for sites which offer CNG, LNG, ethanol, methanol, propane, hydrogen and/or electricity. The $112,225 project includes cost-sharing from the ARB, Federal Transit Administration, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and CALSTART. AQMD cost-share will not exceed $67,225.
COMMITTEE:
Technology, September 25, 1998, Recommended for Approval
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with CALSTART in an amount not to exceed $67,225 to update and expand their existing Internet website to provide information on alternative fuel refueling sites, and to conduct an outreach program to help disseminate this information.
Barry Wallerstein, D.Env.
Acting Executive Officer
Background
Convenient access to alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) refueling and recharging stations is of critical importance for the continued commercialization of clean fuel vehicles. With the increasing number of AFVs being offered by major auto manufacturers, there is a growing need to provide current and prospective users of these vehicles with convenient, up-to-date and easily understood information on how to access and use specific refueling and recharging sites.
To help address the information needs of private and public AFV users, CALSTART has established an Advanced Transportation Internet website which identifies the location and graphic maps to current electric vehicle and natural gas refueling sites in California. This database includes information on over 450 sites, but is limited presently to electric recharging and natural gas refueling sites only. There is a need to update and expand this database to cover all alternative fuels, including electricity, compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, methanol, ethanol, propane and hydrogen.
Information on public refueling options is needed for all alternative fuels as the number of these vehicles and fueling sites increase. For example, there are over 15,000 methanol flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) now in operation, and auto manufacturers are considering offering large numbers of ethanol FFVs throughout the United States as part of their compliance strategy for meeting their Corporate Average Fuel Economy obligations. Ford has also expanded the availability of propane models in the 1998 model year. Ford and Chrysler have announced that they intend to manufacture, in aggregate, 450,000 flexible fuel ethanol vehicles, primarily minivans nationally over the next four years. Daimler-Benz, Toyota, Honda and Nissan have recently announced plans to commercialize methanol-based fuel cell vehicles starting in 2004.
In order help ensure that CALSTART would offer a cost effective approach to providing an expanded and well maintained website of refueling station maps, bids were also obtained from three other AQMD service providers namely, Sierra Cybernetics, Majesco, Cordoba and CALSTART. These bids were compared in terms of the number of new sites which were proposed, the total cost, and proposed cost-sharing from outside organizations. In addition, qualitative factors such as familiarity and experience in the field of Internet mapping service provision was also considered. The proposal by CALSTART provided the highest number of sites, the lowest overall cost, the only cost-sharing by outside organizations, as well as the lowest per website unit cost.
Proposal
CALSTART proposes a partnership with the AQMD to leverage its substantial investment in mapping to provide an expanded level of service related to clean fuel station locations. CALSTART has proposed to update their current Internet On-Line website, www.cleancarmaps.com to provide refueling and recharging station maps for all publicly accessible alternative fuels. This site provides detailed maps and access information on such sites, and CALSTART has proposed to add the latest information on natural gas, methanol, ethanol, and hydrogen refueling and electric vehicle recharging locations. It also will ensure that all maps and information are routinely updated. The proposed scope of work includes an outreach element to inform current and prospective users, auto dealerships and other interested parties about the website.
CALSTART specifically proposes to build on its already substantial map listings and provide these specific upgrades:
Under this project, AQMD would become the prime information sponsor for this upgraded site. Its name and logo – in a banner listing with a link to the AQMD Home Page – would be located on the main page of the map listings. The AQMD would provide a direct link to the mapping information from its Home Page, as well.
CALSTART will also use the name cleancarmaps.com as the name of its Internet-based clean fuel vehicle refueling maps.
Additionally, CALSTART will provide outreach to let users know this resource exists and how it can help them. CALSTART will produce outreach brochures profiling the service which will be mailed to fleet managers, be available at AQMD and CALSTART locations and events, and be sent to clean fuel vehicle dealers for distribution. CALSTART will publicize the mapping site electronically and with the media.
Under this project, CALSTART proposes to take its existing clean fuel vehicle refueling site database of more than 400 location maps and use it to develop a revamped, GIS-(Geo-coded Information System) based site. Building on the substantial investment in time and resources already made – roughly $150,000 has been spent designing and maintaining the listings to date – CALSTART will implement a state-of-the-art system that will allow users to search by text database listings only, or by GIS-based map listings with zoom-in and trip planning functions. The system will combine the easy-to-use interface CALSTART has pioneered with additional features offered on GIS sites. Between 300 and 500 new California clean fuel vehicle refueling site maps will be posted in the next 18 months. In the event that the CALSTART website is terminated prior to or after the completion of this 18 month project, arrangements will be made to ensure that the data base developed pursuant to this project will be provided to the AQMD.
Anticipated Benefits
Implementation of this project will not result in any direct emission reductions. However, the provision of easily accessible information on the location of refueling sites will help encourage current users of alternative fuel vehicles to better integrate such vehicles into their overall transportation choices. The information provided by this project will also encourage potential users of AFVs to more seriously consider buying or leasing such vehicles. As a result, this project is expected to facilitate the use of AFVs as substitutes for conventional fueled vehicles. This project will also assist in assuring the implementation of the ZEV mandate and 1997 AQMP Control Measure M2. Implementation of this control measure will help lower the fleet average NMOG emission standard from 0.062 gm/mile in 2003 to 0.035 gm/mile in 2010, resulting in an estimated reduction of 10 tons per day of reactive organic gas (ROG) and 13 tons per day of NOx.
Sole Source Justification
Section VIII(B)(2) of the Procurement Policy and Procedure identifies four major provisions under which a sole source award may be justified. This request for sole source award is made under provision B.2.c(1): the unique experience and capabilities of the proposed contractor or contractor team.
CALSTART is a leader in Internet-delivered information about the clean fuel vehicle industry, with its homepage generating over 350,000 "hits" per month. CALSTART provides unique and valuable information to support the market growth of clean transportation through twice-daily postings of advanced transportation industry news, a fleet manager clean fuel resource center and a database of available clean fuel vehicles.
About two years ago, CALSTART began offering the only recharging and refueling site maps for California and Arizona available on the Internet. The site was designed specifically for customer ease of use and to visually showcase the developing refueling options. Those options have grown to more than 400 public recharging/refueling maps on the CALSTART Website. Its website is the preferred site of the EV1 Clubs of both Southern California and Arizona. It has worked closely with major fuel distributors in the creation of their data base. It has coordinated with a wide range of users to optimize and streamline their software and database, including the following organizations:
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Thus, the quality and content of services proposed for this project are only available from this contractor. In addition, the need to expedite this project through the timely ability of the proposed contractor is in the best interests of the AQMD, as it helps expedite the expanded commercialization of clean fuel vehicles which are an integral part of the AQMP.
Resource Impacts
The total cost of this proposed project is estimated to be $112,225. AQMD funding of $67,225 is requested to cost-share this project.
Cost-sharing is included in the CALSTART proposal as follows:
| Direct | In-Kind | Total | |
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$20,000 | ||
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$10,000 | ||
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$5,000 | ||
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$10,000 | ||
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$67,225 | ||
| Total Project Cost: | $112,225 |
Staff recommends that up to $67,225 be provided to support this project.
Sufficient funds are available in the Fiscal Year 1998-1999 Budget. The Clean Fuels Program, under Health and Safety Code Sections 40448.5 and 40512 and Vehicle Code Section 9250.11, establishes mechanisms to collect revenues from mobile and stationary sources to support projects to increase the utilization of clean fuels in both sectors, including the development of the necessary advanced enabling technologies. Funds collected from motor vehicles are restricted, by statute, to be used for projects and program activities related to mobile sources that support the objectives of the Clean Fuels Program.
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